The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-05-19


The morning shadows fell obliquel!
on the strawberry bed, light winC
was stirring. Papillon went with (
little basket on her arm to gather thu
wonted store. She had thrown bacl
her straw hat. Her brow was thought
full, her head bent forward. Steps ap
preached.
''May l help, Desiree?' asked Hill
mars voice.
She turned toward him a face suf
fused with bushes, and placed hel
forefnger on her lip.
'Hushr" she whispered. 81 viii
show you a happy family"
He drew nearer. Looking sideways
over her shoulder, he met two round
bird-eyes, fearless and yet entreating
A ground-sparrow was feeding hel
young while her mate looked on from
a bush near by.
'Why do you think this little brood
SO happy" he whispered, in French.
Because they have home-a father
and mother
Something in the voice and glance OF
the young girl moved him deeply.
care you not sheltered here as in
your fathers house?" he asked.
Certainly. But it is refuge-no
home. Still am more than grateful.
Now let US observe this little family.
The mother-bird gazes at you as if she
would say: Iknow you will do me no
harm. -
THAT is because 1 am with you."
said Ussikow.
30 no! Children and animals have
an instinct in these things. 1t is be-
cause you are a good man, and would
not harm any living creature"
''Do you really think me good?"
She looked at him with dilated eyes,
and said, simply: "You are friend
of Arnim EIbthal."
"But it is the nature of man to lay
low all that stands in the path of his
ambition and his dreams.
''He lays low only to build up anew"
said Desiree.
"How many little nest is destroyed
by mans hand-how many a home full
of peace and JOY. Ask the mothers
they will tell you it is so. A stranger
enters the united family circle, the
heart of the daughter, the precious,
carefully guarded jewel of the house,
inclines to him love rends it from
father and mother-the domestic hap
piness has an end. The beloved child
goes forth with the stranger in fulfill
ment of the command of Holy Writ:
Thou shalt forsake father and mother
and cleve unto thy husband. "
A shudder passed over the young
girls form-she trembled like the sap
ling in a sudden gust of wind. Then
she said, calmly:
"This must be so if love is what l
imagine it.
''What does Papillon know of love?"
asked Hilmar, gravely, his dark eyes
seeking to fathom the lovely face before
him.
MY mother had an old book about
love. 1t was written by Constance
Salm, Princess whose father lived at
the court of poor Louis XVI. and his
beautiful Antoinette. She calls love
the fever of the soul, and passion its
delirium. She declares also that the
experiences of a woman in this most
important chapter of her life can be
understood only by women"
81 know this book. 1t once fell
into my hands and read it through.
1t is beautiful and noble, but its ideas of
love are French ideas"
sis not love love everywhere, and
just the same?" asked Desiree Then,
slowly turning from the nest, she
passed on with light steps. Hilmar
remained at her side gazing down at
the bowed head, with glowing forehead
and throbbing heart.
LAS you have read the Princess
Salm's book, You must know her
favorite song-the one she learned